GARDEN BIRDS

BLUE TIT

GOLD CREST

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER

LONG TAILED TIT

ROBIN (MATT FINISH)

ROBIN (SHINY FINISH)

WREN

BLUE TIT

The blue tit is an acrobatic and inquisitive bird; these traits have enabled it to exploit unusual food sources, for example by obtaining milk by pecking at milk-bottle tops on doorsteps. Furthermore, they are usually the first birds to find and use feeders put out in gardens, a trait which has greatly endeared them to the public. During summer they feed mainly on invertebrates, but switch to seeds and other food sources during winter when insects are scarce. They are a common widespread resident and breed on Arran.3.5cm x 8cm

GOLD CREST

The goldcrest has greenish upper-parts, whitish under-parts, and has two white wingbars. It has a plain face contrasting black irises and a bright head crest, orange and yellow in the male and yellow in the female, which is displayed during breeding. The goldcrest breeds in coniferous woodland and gardens, building its compact, three-layered nest on a tree branch. It takes a wide variety of prey, especially spiders, caterpillars, bugs, springtails and flies. The goldcrest feeds in trees, frequently foraging on the undersides of branches and leaves. This is in contrast to the common firecrest, which mainly exploits the upper surface of branches. Unlike the firecrest, it is a common visitor to Arran.

3.5cm x 7cm

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER

It is a striking bird with its black and white plumage, a prominent oval-shaped white patch on each wing and a red patch under the tail. With a bouncing flight, it spends much of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches. Its presence can often be heard by the distinctive drumming as it pecks the tree to announce its presence. A nesting hole is bored in soft or decaying wood. It feeds on insects, seeds and nuts. There are widespread sightings throughout Arran but in particular they can be heard drumming around Brodick Counrty Park and in Merkland Wood.

5.5cm x 10.5cm

LONG TAILED TIT

This tiny bird is readily identifiable by its black, white and pink plumage and by its long tail, which is mainly black , edged in white. They are widespread and breed on Arran, mainly feeding on insects, but will occasionally eat seeds in winter. Their oval-shaped nests are skilfully held together with spider webs, camouflaged with lichen and lined with as many as 2000 feathers!

5.5cm x 8cm

ROBIN (MATT FINISH)

The robin is undoubtedly one of Britain's most dearly loved birds. It is instantly recognisable due to the rusty-red breast; indeed, 'Robin redbreast' and simply 'redbreast' are well-known alternative names. Although the robin has been recorded feeding on a very wide range of food, the majority of the diet consists of invertebrates, soft fruit and seeds. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. They will sing at night next to street lights.In Britain the robin is closely associated with Christmas. The first postmen wore bright red waistcoats, and were popularly known as 'Robins'; this may explain not only why robins are often featured on Christmas cards, but also why they are frequently depicted holding a letter in the beak, delivering the mail.

3.5cm x 6.5cm

ROBIN (SHINY FINISH)

The robin is undoubtedly one of Britain's most dearly loved birds. It is instantly recognisable due to the rusty-red breast; indeed, 'Robin redbreast' and simply 'redbreast' are well-known alternative names. Although the robin has been recorded feeding on a very wide range of food, the majority of the diet consists of invertebrates, soft fruit and seeds. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. They will sing at night next to street lights.In Britain the robin is closely associated with Christmas. The first postmen wore bright red waistcoats, and were popularly known as 'Robins'; this may explain not only why robins are often featured on Christmas cards, but also why they are frequently depicted holding a letter in the beak, delivering the mail.Finished with a shiny glaze.

3,5cm x 6.5cm

WREN

The wren is a tiny rounded bird with a vertically cocked tail and reddish-brown plumage. Although busy and energetic, the wren is elusive outside the breading season; usually it shows itself only for a moment while flitting from one thicket to another in search of food. The male builds a number of ball-shaped nests, for the female to choose from, sited in hedges, walls, tree-trunks and even old bird nests. it is a widespread common resident.